This wiki resource is just that, a resource; it is not a be all and end all on the subject of Differentiated Instruction (DI). Below you will find "jumping off points," links and resources bringing you to interesting places that we hope will deepen your understanding of DI and its place in curriculum planning, its role in the classroom, and its strong, inherent connection to Cooperative Learning.
In terms of the role of DI in the classroom, it is our hope that visitors here will take with them the principles of Differentiated Instruction, Cooperative Learning, and with sound pedagogical planning, meld many of the tools and resources of the web found on the pages of this wiki.
Differentiation is responsive teaching rather than one size fits all teaching (Tomlinson, 2005). To put it yet another way, it means that teachers proactively plan varied approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it, and/or how they will show what they have learned in order to increase the likelihood that each student will learn as much as he or she can, as efficiently as possible (Tomlinson, 2003).
From this description of DI, one can see that planning, approach, needs, teaching, learning, and efficiency are key components. Just how to accomplish all of this is the question. One approach is to base efforts on sound pedagogical practices/theories and, as mentioned above, throw in a healthy dose of digital tools and resources to meet the needs of the Digital Natives in your classroom. The journey of improving teaching and learning is just one click away!
Differentiation
This wiki resource is just that, a resource; it is not a be all and end all on the subject of Differentiated Instruction (DI). Below you will find "jumping off points," links and resources bringing you to interesting places that we hope will deepen your understanding of DI and its place in curriculum planning, its role in the classroom, and its strong, inherent connection to Cooperative Learning.
In terms of the role of DI in the classroom, it is our hope that visitors here will take with them the principles of Differentiated Instruction, Cooperative Learning, and with sound pedagogical planning, meld many of the tools and resources of the web found on the pages of this wiki.
So what is Differentiated Instruction? From www.differentiationcentral.com, Carol Ann Tomlinson describes DI this way:
Differentiation is responsive teaching rather than one size fits all teaching (Tomlinson, 2005). To put it yet another way, it means that teachers proactively plan varied approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it, and/or how they will show what they have learned in order to increase the likelihood that each student will learn as much as he or she can, as efficiently as possible (Tomlinson, 2003).
From this description of DI, one can see that planning, approach, needs, teaching, learning, and efficiency are key components. Just how to accomplish all of this is the question. One approach is to base efforts on sound pedagogical practices/theories and, as mentioned above, throw in a healthy dose of digital tools and resources to meet the needs of the Digital Natives in your classroom. The journey of improving teaching and learning is just one click away!
Resources
Home of Differential Central
http://differentiationcentral.com/
Carol Ann Tomlinson on Differentitated Instruction
http://www.caroltomlinson.com/
Carol Ann Tomlinson Interview from Education Week
http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2008/09/10/01tomlinson.h02.html
Educational Insights with Steve Decker: Podcast Interview with Carol Ann Tomlinson - Part I
http://web.mac.com/stevedecker1/educational_insights_with_steve_decker/Podcast/Entries/2008/1/6_Differentiation_with_Dr._Carol_Ann_Tomlinson.html
Educational Insights with Steve Decker: Podcast Interview with Carol Ann Tomlinson - Part II
http://web.mac.com/stevedecker1/educational_insights_with_steve_decker/Podcast/Entries/2008/1/27_Differentiation_with_Dr._Carol_Ann_Tomlinson_part_2.html
Educational Insights with Steve Decker: Podcast Interview with Carol Ann Tomlinson - Part III
http://web.mac.com/stevedecker1/educational_insights_with_steve_decker/Podcast/Entries/2008/2/18_Differentiation_with_Dr._Carol_Ann_Tomlinson_-_part_3.html
Carol Ann Tomlinson search results on Delicious
http://delicious.com/popular/differentiation
Popular search results for Differentiated Instruction on Delicious
http://delicious.com/popular/differentiation
Rick Wormeli on Differentiated Instruction - Video Interview
http://www.schooltube.com/video/cb83856191f9470e8937/Rick-Wormeli-on-Differentiation
Educational Insights with Steve Decker: Podcast Interview with Rick Wormeli
http://web.mac.com/stevedecker1/educational_insights_with_steve_decker/Podcast/Entries/2009/3/15_Rick_Wormeli_part_2.html
Educational Insights with Steve Decker: Differentiated Instruction - podcast
http://web.mac.com/stevedecker1/educational_insights_with_steve_decker/Podcast/Entries/2007/1/2_Differentiated_Instruction.html
Dare to Differentiate Wiki
http://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/
Tools for Differentiation Wiki
http://toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com/
Evaluation of Differentiated Lesson - Rubric
http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/di/Burleson/workshops/differentiate/rubric.htm
Internet4Classrooms: Differentiated Instruction
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm
California Technology Assistance Project: Differentiation Resources
http://www.myctap.org/index.php/teaching-and-learning/68/233-math-diff
Carol Ann Tomlinson on Critical Tranformations: We Have to Know Our Students
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfshXciwUA
Sir Kenneth Robinson on Differentiation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLi-vJSNP6U&feature=related
Using CL in college classrooms:
L. Dee Fink on Active Learning
Active Learning in college classroom
CL/active learning guidelines from UCF
Faculty center suggestions for CL and activities
Penn State Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence-great resource!
Schreyer Institute
Great for instructors AND students
ONCOURSE student success strategies
University of Oregon creating successful group assignments
Group assignments
University of Texas at Arlington Active Learning Techniques
Active learning techniques in the college classroom